Football
The Legend of Troy
By John Porentas

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With two brilliant performances against Michigan OSU quarterback Troy Smith has cemented his place in OSU football lore. His performance this season actually overshadowed his amazing performance in 2004, not so much for its total yardage, but for his leadership and ability to inspire his teammates to elevate their play, particularly at crunch time in the fourth quarter when Smith led his team to two late touchdowns to win the game.

Troy Smith

"He has composure," said OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel.

"He believes in himself and he also knows that things don't always go right, but if he keeps plugging in there they will. He enjoys the challenge of moving his team down the field, does it with a lot of passion," Tressel said.

Until now Smith has been known as a runner, an athlete, but has worked hard to become a "quarterback" - a player who can is known for his arm and his leadership and understanding of the game as well as his feet. Smith elaborated on the reasons for his transformation.

"Because I sat back and I had to think 'What do I owe to my guys?' By 'My guys' I mean the whole team," Smith said.

"I owe it to them to become the quarterback, to become everything they need me to be on the field so they can have an understanding that they don't even have to think twice if Troy Smith is going to be able to be there for them and have their back.

"I think I've progressed a lot within knowing and understanding that every play does not have to be made with your feet," said Smith.

"As a quarterback, sitting down and slowing the game down, understanding what they want to do at that point in time. If it's third and and long, the want to blitz, they want to bring something tricky. Film study does that for me. The more and more I study film I think the better quarterback I'll be able to become," Smith said.

Smith says says his attitude toward study of the game has come "180 degrees" as has his understanding of his role on the team and what it takes to win.

"Having an understanding that throughout a game, a whole football game. everything is not going to go your way," said Smith describing his progress in those areas.

"As long as you believe in your coaching staff and the plays that are being called, good things are going to happen. We stayed within the will of the game, didn't try to get out of the things that we can do."

Those qualities were on display in Michigan Stadium last Saturday. His teammates described his play in the crucial fourth quarter.

"I think he's one of the best in the Big Ten and nation," said Buckeye running back Antonio Pittman.

"To come out there and be very confident in the final drive and put together at Michigan, that's huge. He ran the ball well and threw the ball on the run very well. He led us down the field. That's a leader. That's what we need right now."

"Troy was amazing (on the last drive)," added wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr..

"He completed every ball that he threw (late in the game) and made things happen with his feet. Troy showed a lot of character, a lot of leadership, he played well."

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who came in with Smith as a freshman, is not surprised by Smith's transformation and success.

"Troy showed what I've known about Troy since the day I met him pretty much, that he is a great leader and a great athlete who is going to make the big play when you need to have it. That's Troy Smith right there, Troy Smith in a nutshell," Gonzalez said.

The reality of Ohio State football is that the Michigan game defines teams and defines players. In two season, Smith has earned the definition "legend" in the most important game of the year. It's almost frightening to think that he still has another chance to add to that legend. The bar is being set very, very high.

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